China and Taiwan Tensions Rise with Increased Military Activity
Tensions between China and Taiwan are escalating as Chinese military aircraft and naval vessels increase their presence around the island. On Tuesday morning, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence (MND) reported detecting eight Chinese military aircraft and two naval vessels around Taiwan.
According to the MND, four of the eight People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line into Taiwan’s northern and southwestern air defence identification zone (ADIZ). In response, Taiwan sent aircraft and naval ships and deployed coastal-based missile systems to monitor PLA activity.
This latest Chinese military activity adds to a series of similar provocations by Beijing in recent months. China has increased its military activities near Taiwan, including regular air and naval incursions into Taiwan’s ADIZ and military exercises near the island.
Since September 2020, China has used gray zone tactics, which involve incrementally increasing the number of military aircraft and naval vessels operating around Taiwan. Gray zone tactics are efforts to achieve security objectives without direct and sizable use of force.
Taiwan has been governed independently since 1949, but China considers Taiwan part of its territory and insists on eventual reunification, by force if necessary. In July, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te accused China of misinterpreting a United Nations resolution to justify its military activities against Taiwan and drawing an inappropriate linkage to its ‘One China’ principle.
Doubts Revealed
China -: China is a large country in East Asia, known for its rich history and being the most populous country in the world.
Taiwan -: Taiwan is an island near China that has its own government and operates like an independent country, but China claims it as part of its territory.
Tensions -: Tensions mean that there is a lot of stress and disagreement between two groups, in this case, China and Taiwan.
Military Activity -: Military activity refers to actions taken by a country’s armed forces, like moving ships or planes, to show strength or prepare for possible conflict.
Ministry of National Defence -: The Ministry of National Defence is a part of Taiwan’s government that is responsible for protecting the country and managing its military forces.
Taiwan Strait median line -: The Taiwan Strait median line is an imaginary line in the water between China and Taiwan that both sides usually avoid crossing to prevent conflict.
Gray zone tactics -: Gray zone tactics are actions taken by a country to pressure another country without starting a war, like flying planes close to their borders.
Self-governed -: Self-governed means that Taiwan has its own government and makes its own decisions, separate from China.
Reunification -: Reunification means bringing two parts back together. In this case, China wants Taiwan to become part of China again.